ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

A Fatal Ketamine Poisoning
Pierini, G
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Modena,

Popoli, G
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Modena,

Licata, M
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Modena,

(Received 6 December 1993; accepted 10 March 1994)

Abstract

An unusual case of death by ketamine overdose is reported. The drug's administration was a homicide for homosexual ends. Authors discuss a rapid and effective solid-phase extraction procedure using Bond-Elute* C18 for Ketamine and Nor-Ketamine detection in biological fluids and tissues with a 75% recovery. The drug analysis was carried out by the means of gas-chromatography (GLC) and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The yield of the procedure for Ketamine was: blood 27.4 µg/mL; urine 8.51 µg/mL; bile 15.2 µg/mL; brain 3.24 µg/mL; liver 6.6 µg/mL; kidney 3.38 µg/mL. Nor-Ketamine was detected in all samples, but not quantified.

Keywords:
toxicology, poisoning, anesthetic, ketamine

Paper ID: JFS13718J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13718J
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